Holly Robinson Peete joined Lindt Chocolate to Launch the 2012 LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction and celebrate the iconic figure's 60th birthday. 100% of the auction proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks, as part of Lindt's ... Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Holly Robinson Peete joined Lindt Chocolate to Launch the 2012 LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction and celebrate the iconic figure's 60th birthday. 100% of the auction proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks, as part of Lindt's partnership with the organization during the Easter season. Bid at LindtGoldBunnyAuction.com March 8-18. (PRNewsFoto/Lindt USA)

STRATHAM, N.H., March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the LINDT GOLD BUNNY, the bunny that gives back, premium Swiss chocolatier Lindt is kicking off Easter one month early with the 2012 LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction. Today, on LINDT GOLD BUNNY Day, autism advocate Holly Robinson Peete is joining representatives from Lindt and Autism Speaks in New York to officially open the bidding and to honor the 60th anniversary of this iconic product. Through March 18, 2012, fans will be able to bid on any of the 75 celebrity-autographed, porcelain LINDT GOLD BUNNY figures by visiting LindtGoldBunnyAuction.com – with 100 percent of auction proceeds benefitting Autism Speaks.

"It is an honor to help launch the LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction," said Peete. "As the parent of a child with autism, I've dedicated my life to helping families navigate the journey through autism and erase the stigma of the disorder. Giving friends and family a LINDT GOLD BUNNY is just another fun and impactful way to make a difference."

Also teaming up with Lindt and Peete for the auction, which will run from March 8 – March 18, 2012 on LindtGoldBunnyAuction.com, are 75 celebrities who have lent their signatures to raise funds for the cause, including:

Carmelo Anthony

Dianna Agron

Lance Armstrong

Ed Asner

Mario Batali

Lance Berkman

Julie Bowen

Toni Braxton

Drew Brees

Brooke Burke

Kristin Chenoweth

Kenny Chesney

Andy Cohen

Lauren Conrad

Billy Crystal

Ann Curry

Celine Dion

Wyle Dufresne

Kevin Durant

Jacoby Ellsbury

Elle Fanning

Roger Federer

Fergie

Marc-Andre Fleury

Doug Flutie

Harrison Ford

Jennifer Garner

Ricky Gervais

Kathie Lee Gifford

Adrian Gonzalez

Carla Hall

Josh Hamilton

Tony Hawk

Hugh Hefner

Katherine Heigl

Rick Hoffman

Carrie Ann Inaba

J-Woww

Diane Keaton

Clinton Kelly

Toby Keith

Hoda Kotb

Matt Lauer

David Letterman

Evan Longoria

Mario Lopez

Peyton Manning

Reba McEntire

Tim McGraw

Joe Montegna

Natalie Morales

Ed O'Neill

Jennifer Nettles

Alex Ovechkin

Brad Paisley

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick

Dustin Pedroia

Regis Philbin

Gordon Ramsay

Joan Rivers

Al Roker

Holly Robinson Peete

Kelly Rutherford

Paul Simon

John Slattery

Matthew Stafford

Martha Stewart

Barbra Streisand

Tim Tebow

Donald Trump

Troy Tulowitzki

Carrie Underwood

Dwyane Wade

Betty White

Owen Wilson

"We at Lindt USA are honored to partner with Holly Robinson Peete to kick off the Easter season with the 2012 LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of LINDT GOLD BUNNY," said Thomas Linemayr, president and CEO of Lindt USA. "We are inspired by her dedication to the autism cause and are grateful for the support from the 75 celebrities participating in this year's auction."

Partnership with Autism Speaks

The LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction is just one way Lindt is commemorating the 60th anniversary of its iconic product. Lindt will support Autism Speaks again this Easter with a 10 cent donation from all LINDT GOLD BUNNY purchases*, a $2 donation from all Lindt Easter basket purchases, and a $1 donation for every free e-card sent from LindtGoldBunny.com. New in 2012, Lindt will also donate up to $10,000 for consumers who use Pinterest to express their Easter traditions.

To further honor the 60th anniversary of LINDT GOLD BUNNY, the bunny that gives back, Lindt has declared today, March 8, 2012, the first-ever LINDT GOLD BUNNY Day. To celebrate this milestone with consumers, the company will give away more than 30,000 premium LINDT GOLD BUNNY 3.5 oz products to:

About Lindt & SprungliFounded in 1845, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high-quality products in more than 100 countries. Lindt & Sprungli operates eight production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs 7,400 worldwide. Lindt USA operates more than 40 retail stores in the U.S., Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P., the company's premium direct selling program, and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels. For more information on Lindt, visit www.lindt.com.

About Autism SpeaksAutism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $173 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks' Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light It Up Blue initiative. Also, Autism Speaks award-winning "Learn the Signs" campaign with the Ad Council has received over $316 million in donated media. Autism Speaks' family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit, a Grandparent's Guide to Autism, and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments in 29 states thus far, with legislation continuing to advance in more states. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

*Lindt will donate 10 cents to Autism Speaks for every LINDT GOLD BUNNY purchased from February 15 – April 8, 2012, up to $100,000